Ian Potter Museum of Art


The Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia was established to accommodate various art and historical collections of the University. In 1972 as the University Gallery, was renamed the University of Melbourne Museum of Art in 1988, then when it was rehoused in a new building, became the Ian Potter Museum of Art. After a reconstruction it reopened in 2025. It runs an exhibition program of historical and contemporary art

History

University of Melbourne Museum of Art

Over 1988, additional gallery space was created in the former Physics Annexe on Swanston Street. At this point the institution became known as the University of Melbourne Museum of Art, with the Swanston Street site housing the Ian Potter Gallery and Art Conservation Centre. Meanwhile the Old Physics galleries continued regular operation.

The Ian Potter Museum of Art

The University of Melbourne's art collection was officially renamed The Ian Potter Museum of Art in July 1998 when the current building opened in 1998, designed by the architect Nonda Katsalidis of Katsalidis Architects. The architect project team included Bill Krotiris, Adrian Amore, Lisette Agius, Donna Brzezinski, Keiran Boyle, Kei Lu Cheong, Luisa Di Gregorio, Holger Frese, Chris Godsell, Robert Kolak, Barbara Moje, Rainer Strunz, Marius Vogl, Jackie Wagner.
The Potter, as it is known locally, presents a curated exhibition program of historical and contemporary art. Through its activities the Potter provides for the acquisition, maintenance, conservation, cataloguing, exhibition, investigation, interpretation and promotion of the extensive art collections of the University of Melbourne.
In 1999, the museum was awarded the Victorian Architecture Medal for project of the year by the Australian Institute of Architects and the Melbourne Prize for architecture, for the contribution of the project to the public life of the city.

Hiatus 2018–2025

The museum closed in 2018 for renovations,

2025 reopening

The Potter reopened in 2025 with the 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art exhibition.

Staff and associates

Maudie Palmer AO was among several notable arts administrators, including Naomi Cass, who commenced a professional career at the University Gallery. Palmer worked from 1975 to 1981 as assistant director/curator. Part of her remit was its Grainger collection. During this period, she promoted living artists, and developed curatorial approaches that combined scholarly rigour with public engagement.
Others associated with the Museum are Charlotte Day, Rose Hiscock, Judith Ryan AM, Shanysa McConville, Samantha Comte, Hannah Presley, Alisa Bunbury, Isabella Hone-Saunders, Rebecca Hall, Dr Kyla McFarlane among others.

Selected exhibitions

  • 1974, June: Graphic Art in Germany Today
  • 1974, July: Caucasian Rugs
  • 1974, September: The Classical Coin
  • 1975, 17 April–22 May: University Collection
  • 1976, June–2 July: William Delafield-Cook survey exhibition